Review: Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick

Summary/Cover Image form Publisher's Website: 

In the tradition of 13 Reasons Why, a suspenseful and heart-wrenching novel from the author of Nothing Like You and Her and Me and You.

Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.

Now Dakota is missing. She left behind a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s increasingly convinced that Dakota must still be alive.

Review: 

Back in my early days of blogging, I received the opportunity to read and review Lauren Strasnick's debut Nothing Like You. I remember liking it quite a bit, so when I heard about Then You Were Gone, I was beyond excited. It has one of those plots that I can never say no to - former best friend turned enemies, one friend mysteriously dies or disappears, other friend is left searching. Unfortunately this book fell short for me, landing on the "meh, okay" scale of things. Even though I flew through it and found the plot interesting, it lacked the character and plot development I crave.

My first problem with this book? Adrienne. She's an incredibly hard main character to like. From the moment Dakota disappears, Adrienne just gives up on life. She stops doing her homework, she ignores her boyfriend, and barely connects with her best friend, and even though I can understand this type of reaction to Dakota's disappearance, it just drove me insane. Her boyfriend would try and try to connect with her, and instead of her telling him "this isn't working anymore," she just continued to drag the poor guy along. Kate, Adrienne's new best friend, her replacement for Dakota, keeps trying to get through to her, but again Adrienne won't give her the time of day. Adrienne just gave everything up for Dakota, and from her memories and backstory with Dakota, I never really understood their bond. I don't know if it just wasn't well developed enough, or it just never clicked for me, but I was always grasping for why exactly Adrienne liked her so much. Honestly, Dakota seemed like a pretty horrible person. The one character I did like in this? Julian. He seemed more real and relatable than Adrienne, and the scenes with him I always enjoyed. Plus, he did bring out some character change in Adrienne that I liked as well.

This book is relatively short - the ARC I read was only 212 pages. As mentioned before, I flew trough this one easily - it only took me roughly two hours from start to finish. However, just like with the characters, I was left wanting something more. One part of me found the plot to be interesting. I really wasn't sure throughout the entire book whether or not Dakota was alive, and I also wasn't sure why she choose to leave. Those two story lines kept me reading, but the answers just left me with more questions. Plus, when the big question "Why did Dakota call Adrienne of all people?" was answered, I was like "say what? I spent all my time reading this book for that kind of answer." It was just frustrating, and I would say more, but I don't want to give any big spoilers away.

In all, Then You Were Gone wasn't my cup of tea. I wasn't invested in the characters or their friendships and relationships nearly enough. But can I see other people enjoying this one? Yes. And will I try other books in the future by Lauren Strasnick? Yes, without a doubt - I liked Nothing Like You enough to give me hope in connecting with one of her future works.

Grade: C 

Then You Were Gone (Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble) is now out!

Source: ARC provided by Simon Pulse - thanks! 

Waiting on Wednesday (132)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith 

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith's new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names.

Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don't tell each other everything; Graham doesn't know the major secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles.

When the location for the shoot of Graham's new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie's mom want her to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Just as they did in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, the hands of fate intervene in wondrous ways in this YA novel that delivers on high concept romance in lush and thoughtful prose.

Okay, I have to admit something: I own every YA book Jennifer E. Smith has written but I haven't read any of them. Crazy, right?! Well, this looks amazing, and I've made a promise to myself that before I read this one, I have to read Jen's other three.

This Is What Happy Looks Like will be released in April 2013!

Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick

Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend, Dakota, walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.

Now Dakota is missing, and all that remains is a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s growing more convinced each day that Dakota is still alive.

Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself.

Or maybe it’s too late for them both.

I loved Lauren's first book (Nothing Like You) and this one sounds AMAZING. Plus I just love the cover, especially the way in which the letters appear.

Then You Were Gone will be released in January 2013.

Waiting On Wednesday (82)

My pick this week is:

Her and Me and You by Lauren Strasnick

First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.

Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred—and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred—and something about Adina—that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world…no matter the consequences. (Summary and Cover Image taken from Publisher's Website)

I really enjoyed Lauren's previous novel, Nothing Like You, last year. So when I first saw the cover of this one, I was so excited, and even more so when I saw the summary.  Overall? I simply CAN'T wait! :)

Her and Me and You will be released October 5, 2010.

Quick Q and A's with Lauren Strasnick

Lauren Stransnick is the author of Nothing Like You ( REVIEW!) which is not only one of my favorite debuts of this year, but is being released on October 20, 2009, a mere week away. :)

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1) Your debut novel, Nothing Like You, is being released October 20th. Can you tell us what it’s about?

Nothing Like You is about a girl Named Holly Hirsh. Holly’s mom dies and Holly gets involved with the wrong guy. He’s got a girlfriend. She and Holly develop a friendship. Disaster ensues!

2) Are you and the main character, Holly, alike in any ways? If so, in what ways?

Holly has a raging fear of death. I relate. :)

3) The one thing that really catches my eye with Nothing Like You is the title. How did you come up with it? Also, was it always named this?

My clever editor, Anica Rissi, titled the book. The original title was “Holly Holy,” a Neil Diamond song title I stole. But Simon Pulse wanted to go in a different direction, & Anica suggested Nothing Like You. It’s a line from the book.

4) If you could meet any character from Nothing Like You for lunch who would it be? What would you guys talk about?

Oh, good question! My first impulse is to say Holly, but I already know her so well. Nils, maybe? But it would be dinner, not lunch, and instead of eating or talking, we’d listen to old records.

5) What type of setting do you usually write in? For example, some authors like writing in complete silence while others enjoy writing in a more public setting.

It’s really hard for me to write anywhere but home. I need quiet and minimal distraction. Even the library is too stimulating. If I want to get work done, I have to be on my bed, with my laptop, cat nearby. 6) If you could have any job in the world, besides being an author of course, what would it be? Why?

Paranormal investigator?? Although I’m probably too much of a wuss to seriously commit to that job. Oh but, I do LOVE ghosts!

7) You are part of the Class of 2k9. So, I just have to ask, what has your experience been like?

Really terrific. The best part of being involved in an online collective is the relationships that develop. Many of us have been able to meet at conferences over the past year. And it’s pretty incredible to be able to go through your debut year with 21 other authors who are in the exact same boat.

8) Are you currently working on anything else? If so can you tell us about it?

I am! I’m working on a second book for Simon Pulse. A book about broken friendship and thwarted love!

9) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you, Lauren, for being a stellar host!

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No thank you, Lauren! :) Anyway, what are you waiting for, go check out Nothing Like You, as well as Lauren's website.

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Summary:

“You think he’s yours but he’s not, I thought. You think he’s yours but really he’s mine.”

When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly, and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly’s mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she’s getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul’s kisses are a welcome diversion, and it’s nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose.

But things aren’t so simple with Saskia around. Paul’s real girlfriend is willowy and perfect… and nothing like Holly. To make matters worse, she and Holly are becoming friends. Suddenly the consequences of Holly’s choices are all too real, and Holly stands to lose more than she ever realized she had.

Review:

Lauren Strasnick's debut novel, Nothing Like You, had me breathless by the end. It was just that good, no scratch that, amazing!

Holly is the girl that anyone can see a piece of herself in. Lost a parent? She has too. Hooked up with someone you really shouldn't have? Ditto. Betrayed your best friend? Same. Well, you get the picture, she was someone who was very real. Though, with saying that, I still wanted to hit her over the head at times when she continued to see Paul even though you knew he wasn't going to break up with Saskia. The other characters, such as Saskia and Nils, were the same way. They were funny, sweet, and honest which made it a toatal blast to read about them.

I loved the plot. Since, even though it was a wee bit predictable at times, it still moved in a way that made you want to keep flipping the pages to find out what happened next. Plus, Lauren Strasnick's writing was fabulous!

Sadly, the ending was what brought it down to the B+ grade for me. I had something totally different and more happy in mind for it, though Lauren took the chance to surprise which made it a bit too unhappy and open for my liking. Though, now that I think about it, I guess I do see the reason for it. Since, this novel's main message was about how time can heal anything and how you can loose someone but still be okay.

Overall, Nothing Like You is happy, sad, funny, and heartbreaking all in one, making it yet another a fablous 2009 debut! I look forward to seeing what Lauren comes up witth next.

Grade: B+

Nothing Like You will be realeased October 20, 2009.

* Much thanks to Lauren Stransnick as well as Simon and Schuster for sending me this!